After scoring Auburn's only two touchdowns of the game, Mario Fannin didn't play an offensive snap for AU's final two possessions of the fourth quarter.

After not offering much of an explanation immediately after the game, AU head coach Tommy Tuberville explained Sunday that Ben Tate was in the game at running back because he's a better pass blocker than Fannin.

"Because I think we threw the ball like 23 of the last 30 times and we hadn't had enough time with (Fannin) in terms of protections and those things," Tuberville said. "He's getting better and better. Ben's been there and done that. He understands it a lot better.

"But (Fannin) was in on some passing plays. When it got in a situation where we knew we had to throw the ball, Mario wasn't in there quite as much."

Auburn actually ran 20 plays on its final two series: four runs by Tate, 14 passes and two scrambles by quarterback Kodi Burns that appeared to be called pass plays.